Three dimensional puzzle with interactive features

ABSTRACT

A puzzle-kit for assembling a three-dimensional puzzle representing a geographic region is disclosed. The three-dimensional puzzle of the puzzle kit includes a plurality of pieces that may each represent a section of a geographic region. The puzzle kit may include at least one movable element. One or more of the puzzle pieces may have a specialized region that is adapted for the movement of the at least one movable element. The puzzle pieces may include lenticular images and/or three dimensional images. The puzzle kit may further include a sensor capable of sensing contact to a portion of a puzzle piece and capable of activating at least one of a light, sound, or vibration upon sensing the contact. The puzzle kit may include at least one puzzle piece that has an encoded image that provides augmented reality information regarding the geographic region of the three dimensional puzzle via a display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/5562,372, filed on Nov. 21, 2011, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to puzzles and more particularlyto three dimensional puzzles.

2. Description of the Related Art

Puzzle and puzzle games have, throughout history, long entertainedchildren and adults, challenging players to solve puzzles in onedimension or with one set of problem solving skills. Puzzles challengethe player's ingenuity in order to complete the puzzle. Threedimensional puzzles allow players to learn about a location portrayed inthe puzzle by exploring the depth and dimension of the three dimensionalpieces. Three dimensional puzzles also allow players to interact withthe scene portrayed by the puzzle. For example, when a three dimensionalpuzzle portrays a real world location, a player may learn where variouslandmarks and points of interest are located by assembling the threedimensional puzzle.

However, conventional three dimensional puzzles do not allow a player tofurther interact with them after the puzzle has been built. Conventionalthree dimensional puzzles do not include moving objects or pieces,interactive features and/or sensors. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.3,485,496, 4,937,181, 6,761,354, and 7,441,776, U.S. Patent Pub. Nos.2002/0140168, 2005/0253336, 2008/0303212, 2009/0026701, 2010/0320686,2011/0127718, as well as European Patent Nos. EP726798 and EP760705, alldisclose three dimensional puzzles, but they do not show that thesepuzzles have moving features. U.S. Pat. No. 3,558,136 discloses“representations of oil tanks” that are cardboard stationary pieces thatmay be placed on a two dimensional puzzle, but does not disclose thatthese pieces can move on their own.

There is a need for three dimensional puzzles that allow a player tointeract with moving pieces after the three dimensional puzzle has beenassembled. Additionally, there is a need for a three dimensional puzzlethat allows a player to play additional games within the puzzle afterthe puzzle has been assembled. There also is a need for a threedimensional puzzle that allows a player to connect with other devices,such as a smartphone, television, and/or computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above discussion and the shortcomings in the prior art,various embodiments of the invention seek to overcome such shortcomingsof the prior art by providing a three dimensional puzzle withinteractive feature.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a novel puzzle-kitfor assembling into a three-dimensional puzzle representing a geographicregion, location, or locale is disclosed. The three-dimensional puzzleof the puzzle kit includes a plurality of pieces that may each representa section of a geographic region. The puzzle kit may include at leastone movable element. One or more of the puzzle pieces may have aspecialized region that is adapted for the movement of the at least onemovable element.

In some embodiments, the puzzle pieces may include lenticular imagesand/or three dimensional images. In some embodiments the puzzle kit mayinclude a fit-in board with a plurality of slots for fitting in theplurality of puzzle pieces. In some embodiments, the puzzle pieces mayhave at least one male or female tab, wherein the female slots of thepuzzle pieces are inter-lockable with the male tabs of the puzzlepieces. In some embodiments, one or more of the puzzle pieces mayinclude sections of a maze. In some embodiments, one or more of thepuzzle pieces may include sections of a labyrinth. In some embodiments,one or more of the puzzle pieces may include sections of a tangram. Insome embodiments, one or more of the puzzle pieces may include sectionsof a transport puzzle that includes a plurality of tracks adapted forallowing the movement of the at least one movable element.

In some embodiments, the movable elements may be movable by batteryoperation or winding up action. In some embodiments, the movableelements may be remote-controlled. In some embodiments, the movableelements may have regions capable of magnetic attraction and the puzzlepieces may also have regions including magnetic tracks for placing themovable elements thereon. In some embodiments the movable elements maybe a vehicle, vessel, human, animal, insect, airplane, helicopter,flying balloon, or imaginary creature. In some embodiments the movableelements and/or the puzzle pieces may be partially opened.

In some embodiments, the puzzle kit may further include a sensor capableof sensing contact to a portion of a puzzle piece and capable ofactivating at least one of a light, sound, or vibration upon sensing thecontact. The sensor may be a standalone module or part of the puzzlepieces. In some embodiments, the puzzle kit may further include a subpuzzle game located within, on, or part of at least one of the puzzlepieces.

In some embodiments, the puzzle kit may include at least one puzzlepiece that has an encoded image. The encoded image provides informationregarding the geographic region of the three dimensional puzzle via adisplay device when the encoded imaged is scanned by a scanning deviceelectrically connected to the display device.

The present invention allows players to construct a three dimensionalpuzzle and then continue playing with the three dimensional puzzle'sinteractive features (e.g., moving objects or pieces, sensors, threedimensional printed images) or sub-puzzles (e.g., mazes, labyrinths,sokoban, Paganitzu, transport). By multiplying the challenges a playermay face within a puzzle, the player's problem solving abilities andskills may be increased. The present invention may allow players todevelop geographic, geometric and mathematic knowledge, cognitiveskills, motor skills and problem solving skills.

It should be noted that although the description herein describes athree dimensional puzzle as portraying a real world geographicallocation, it can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art thatcertain aspects of the present invention can be used for any type ofthree dimensional puzzles, including three dimensional puzzles thatportray real-world or imaginary objects and three dimensional puzzlesthat portray geographic locations or non-geographic locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present invention will be better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein likereference numerals refer to like components. For the purposes ofillustrating the present application, there is shown in the drawingspreferred embodiments. It should be understood and appreciated, however,that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements,structures, features, embodiments, aspects, and devices shown, and thearrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devicesshown and may be used singularly or in combination with otherarrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices.

The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are not in any wayintended to limit the scope of this invention, but merely to clarify asingle illustrated embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a three dimensional puzzle according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the three dimensional puzzleshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of part of the three dimensionalpuzzle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the three dimensional puzzle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a puzzle piece of the three dimensionalpuzzle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the puzzle piece shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another puzzle piece of the threedimensional puzzle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the puzzle piece shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a close up perspective view of a moving object of the threedimensional puzzle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an exploded top view of a three dimensional puzzle accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the three dimensional puzzle shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded bottom view of the three dimensional puzzle shownin FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the three dimensional puzzle shown in FIG.10

FIG. 14 is a close up view of the puzzle pieces and moving objects ofthe three dimensional puzzle shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a top view of a three dimensional puzzle according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an exploded top view of the three dimensional puzzle shown inFIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a three dimensional puzzle according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a three dimensional puzzle according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a close up view of the three dimensional puzzle shown in FIG.18;

FIG. 20A is a perspective view of a three dimensional puzzle accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20B is a top view of the three dimensional puzzle shown in FIG.20A;

FIG. 21 is a top view of a three dimensional puzzle according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a top view of a three dimensional puzzle according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a top view of a three dimensional puzzle according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a three dimensional puzzle according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a puzzle piece according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be discussedwith reference to the aforementioned figures. In general, suchembodiments relate to a three dimensional puzzle, although as one ofordinary skill in the art can appreciate, certain embodiments of thepresent invention can be utilized in connection with various otherpuzzles, games or the like. Embodiments of a three dimensional puzzleaccording to the present invention are described below. Theseembodiments are provided for the purpose only of illustrating principlesof the present invention, and should not be interpreted as limiting theinvention in any way beyond the scope of the claims and theirequivalents.

An embodiment of a three dimensional puzzle 1 is illustrated in FIGS.1-9. The three dimensional puzzle 1 preferably includes a plurality ofpuzzle pieces that are interconnected to form the three dimensionalpuzzle 1, at least one moving object 2, at least one path 3, at leastone sensor 4, and at least one sensor reacting element or piece 5. Thethree dimensional puzzle 1 preferably portrays a real geographiclocation, allowing users to learn more about the location whileconstructing the puzzle. The puzzle pieces may be comprised of any typeof material. For example, the puzzle pieces may comprise of plastic,wood, paper, metal, and/or other material that one of ordinary skill inthe art would use to construct a puzzle. The puzzle pieces of the threedimensional puzzle 1 preferably represent geographic regions,neighborhoods, and/or landmarks of a real geographic location. The threedimensional puzzle 1 may be part of a puzzle kit that includes theindividual puzzle pieces, moving objects, fit-in boards, and other partsof the three dimensional puzzle 1 that may be required for assemblingthe three dimensional puzzle 1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the three dimensional puzzle 1 may beconstructed by inserting the plurality of puzzle pieces into a fit-inboard 7. The fit-in board 7 preferably includes a plurality of uniqueslots for inserting puzzle pieces to form the three dimensional puzzle1. For example, puzzle piece 10 may be insertable in one unique slot ofthe fit-in board 7, while puzzle piece 20 may be insertable in anotherunique slot of the fit-in board 7. A player may place the puzzle pieces10 and 20 as shown in FIG. 3 in order to create the three dimensionalpuzzle 1. Alternatively, the slots in the fit-in board 7 may benon-unique, such that multiple puzzle pieces may fit-in one of the slotsof the fit-in board 7. With reference to FIGS. 2-8, the puzzle pieces ofthe three dimensional puzzle 1 may represent geographical regions orneighborhoods, e.g., puzzle pieces 10, 20, and 30, or may representbuildings, e.g., puzzle piece 40. The puzzle pieces 10, 20, 30, and 40represent small scale real geographic locations, allowing a player tolearn about the geographical location. The puzzle pieces of the threedimensional puzzle 1 may include movable and/or removable pieces. Forexample, the puzzle pieces of the three dimensional puzzle 1 may includedrawers, doors, or windows that may be opened. In some embodiments,these features may be “secret” such that a user has to discover whereand how to open these features. The puzzle pieces of the threedimensional puzzle 1 may also include in part or in whole lenticularprinting that creates the perception of depth when a viewer views thelenticular printed objects. The puzzle pieces of the three dimensionalpuzzle 1 may also include in part or in whole three dimensional printingthat allow a user wearing three dimensional glasses to view a twodimensionally printed figure on the puzzle.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the three dimensional puzzle 1 alsopreferably includes at least one moving object 2 that may be disposed tomove along the three dimensional puzzle 1 on the path 3. For example,the moving object 2 may be a car. Alternatively, the moving object 2 maybe a vehicle, vessel, human, animal, insect, airplane, helicopter,flying balloon, mythological creatures, robotic creatures, or imaginarycreatures. The moving object 2 may be battery operated or may be woundup by a user to initiate its movement. Alternatively, or in addition to,the moving object 2 may also be controlled by a remote control. Themoving object 2 may include movable and/or removable pieces. Forexample, the moving object 2 may include drawers, doors, or windows thatmay be opened. In some embodiments, these features may be “secret” suchthat a user has to discover where and how to open these features. Themoving object 2 may be capable of a variety of movement, includingdriving, jumping, vibrating, driving, dancing, flying, running, playing,and/or climbing. The moving object 2 may also include in part or inwhole lenticular printing that creates the perception of depth when aviewer views the lenticular printed objects. The moving object 2 mayalso include in part or in whole three dimensional printing that allow auser wearing three dimensional glasses to view a two dimensionallyprinted figure on the moving object 2.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the moving object 2 may be capable ofmoving about the puzzle on the path 3 that borders the perimeter of thepuzzle. Alternatively, or in addition to, with reference to FIG. 9, themoving object 2 may be capable of moving about a path that is located inbetween the pieces of the three dimensional puzzle 1. The path 3 andother paths in the three dimensional puzzle 1 may be sized foraccommodating the moving object 2. The path 3 and other paths in thethree dimensional puzzle 1 may also be outfitted for accommodating themoving object 2. For example, the path 3 and other paths in the threedimensional puzzle 1 may be recessed to particularly accommodate thewheels and/or shape of the moving object 2. Alternatively, or inaddition to, the path 3 and other paths in the three dimensional puzzle1 may be magnetic as to attract the moving object 2. The moving objectsmay follow any path in the three dimensional puzzle 1. For example, themoving objects may follow a path that is designed between the puzzlepieces of the three dimensional puzzle 1. Alternatively, the movingobjects may follow a path that traverses upwards on a puzzle piecesfollowing the y axis shown in FIG. 1

With reference to FIG. 1, the sensor 4 may be activated by touch ormotion and, upon activation, may trigger the sensor reacting element 5.The sensor 4 may be placed in any location of the three dimensionalpuzzle 1, such as the top of a puzzle piece, or along a travel path ofthe moving object 2. The sensor reacting element 5 may react with sound,light, and/or vibration when the sensor 4 is activated.

An embodiment of a three dimensional puzzle 100 is illustrated in FIGS.10-14. The three dimensional puzzle 100 preferably includes a pluralityof puzzle pieces that are interconnected to form the three dimensionalpuzzle 100. The three dimensional puzzle 100 preferably includes aplurality of puzzle pieces, e.g., puzzle pieces 101, 102, and 103. Thethree dimensional puzzle 100 preferably portrays a real geographiclocation, allowing users to learn more about the location whileconstructing the puzzle. The puzzle pieces may be comprised of any typeof material. For example, the puzzle pieces may comprise of plastic,wood, paper, metal, and/or other material that one of ordinary skill inthe art would use to construct a puzzle. The puzzle pieces of the threedimensional puzzle 100 preferably represent geographic regions,neighborhoods, and/or landmarks of a real geographic location. The threedimensional puzzle also preferably includes at least one moving object120, at least one path, at least one sensor, and at least one sensorreacting element.

As shown in FIGS. 10-13, the puzzle pieces 101, 102, and 103 each have amale and female element that are preferably uniquely shaped such thateach male element may fit in only one of the female elements of theother puzzle pieces. For example, the puzzle piece 101 has two maleelements that are uniquely shaped to fit in the female elements of thepuzzle pieces 102 and 103. The puzzle pieces 101, 102, and 103 representsmall scale real geographic locations, allowing a player to learn aboutthe geographical location. The puzzle pieces of the three dimensionalpuzzle 100 may include movable and/or removable pieces. For example, thepuzzle pieces of the three dimensional puzzle 100 may include drawers,doors, or windows that may be opened. In some embodiments, thesefeatures may be “secret” such that a user has to discover where and howto open these features. The puzzle pieces of the three dimensionalpuzzle 100 may also include in part or in whole lenticular printing thatcreates the perception of depth when a viewer views the lenticularprinted objects. The puzzle pieces of the three dimensional puzzle 100may also include in part or in whole three dimensional printing thatallow a user wearing three dimensional glasses to view a twodimensionally printed figure on the puzzle.

With reference to FIG. 14, the three dimensional puzzle 100 alsopreferably includes moving objects 120 and 121 and paths 130 and 131.The moving objects may be a variety of objects as described above withreference to the three dimensional puzzle 1 disposed to move along thepuzzle in a variety of paths as described above with reference to thethree dimensional puzzle 1.

With reference to FIG. 14, the paths 130 and 131 and other paths in thethree dimensional puzzle 100 may be sized for accommodating the movingobjects 120 and 121 as described above with reference to the threedimensional puzzle 1. The three dimensional puzzle 100 may also includea sensor as described above with reference to the three dimensionalpuzzle 1.

FIGS. 15-16 show an embodiment of a three dimensional puzzle 200 thatpreferably includes a plurality of tangram shaped puzzle pieces a-g thatare interconnected to form the three dimensional puzzle 200. The threedimensional puzzle 200 may also include moving objects 220 and 221,paths 230 and 231, at least one sensor 240, and at least one sensorreacting element 241. The three dimensional puzzle 200 preferablyportrays a real geographic location, allowing users to learn more aboutthe location while constructing the puzzle. The puzzle pieces may becomprised of any type of material. For example, the puzzle pieces maycomprise of plastic, wood, paper, metal, and/or other material that oneof ordinary skill in the art would use to construct a puzzle.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the three dimensional puzzle 200 may beconstructed by a plurality of tangram puzzle pieces, e.g., puzzle piecesa-g. The tangram pieces may be connected in a fit-in arrangement. Thetangram puzzle pieces may include pieces that are dual sided, that ispieces may include one side of the puzzle with a three dimensionalprojection and an opposing side with a flat surface that includesprinted three dimensional images which may be viewed using threedimensional glasses. Thus, a player may be able to play the tangrampuzzle on either side, depending on which side the pieces are placed.The tangram puzzle may consist of one or more puzzle pieces that arefitted in together to form geometric shapes, allowing a player to learngeography or geometry. For example, the puzzle pieces a-g may beuniquely shaped such that they only fit in a certain configuration tocomplete the three dimensional puzzle 200. The puzzle pieces of thethree dimensional puzzle 200 may represent geographical regions orneighborhoods, or small scale real geographic locations, allowing aplayer to learn about the geographical location. The puzzle pieces ofthe three dimensional puzzle 200 may include movable and/or removablepieces. For example, the puzzle pieces of the three dimensional puzzle200 may include drawers, doors, or windows that may be opened. In someembodiments, these features may be “secret” such that a user has todiscover where and how to open these features. The puzzle pieces of thethree dimensional puzzle 200 may also include in part or in wholelenticular printing that creates the perception of depth when a viewerviews the lenticular printed objects. The puzzle pieces of the threedimensional puzzle 200 may also include in part or in whole threedimensional printing that allow a user wearing three dimensional glassesto view a two dimensionally printed figure on the puzzle.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the three dimensional puzzle 200 alsopreferably includes moving objects 220 and 221 that may be disposed tomove along the three dimensional puzzle 200 on the paths 230 and 231,respectively. The moving objects may be a variety of objects asdescribed above with reference to the three dimensional puzzle 1disposed to move along the puzzle in a variety of paths as describedabove with reference to the three dimensional puzzle 1.

The sensor 240 may be activated by touch or motion and, upon activation,may trigger the sensor reacting element 241, as described above withreference to the three dimensional puzzle 1.

The three dimensional puzzle 200 may further include a maze 250 that maybe traversed by the moving objects 220 and 221. The route of maze 250may be formed by lenticular, three dimensional images, or physicalforms. The maze 250 allows players to develop navigation, cognitive, andmotor skills. The maze 250 may allow players to construct the maze 250with three dimensional puzzle pieces, and to navigate the constructedmaze with or without three dimensional glasses.

FIG. 17 shows a three dimensional puzzle 300 that preferably includes aplurality of puzzle pieces that are interconnected to form the threedimensional puzzle 300. and a sub puzzle Sokoban game 360 that may beplayed with crates 362 and balls 361. The Sokoban game 360 may besituated as part of at least one puzzle piece of the three dimensionalpuzzle 300. The Sokoban game 360 allows a player to further interact andplay with the three dimensional puzzle 300 after the three dimensionalpuzzle 300 has been constructed. The Sokoban game 360 may allow playersto develop navigation, cognitive and motor skills. The Sokoban game 360may be part of a three dimensional piece or may be constructed as ahidden compartment that may be revealed when a player opens a portion ofthe three dimensional puzzle piece.

FIGS. 18-19 show a three dimensional puzzle 400 that preferably includesa plurality of puzzle pieces that are interconnected to form the threedimensional puzzle 400, and a sub logic game 460 that may be played witha plurality of numbered pieces 461. Alternatively, the pieces 461 mayhave characters other than numbers, such as letters, pictures, etc. Thelogic game 460 may be situated as part of at least one puzzle piece ofthe three dimensional puzzle 400. The logic game 460 allows a player tofurther interact and play with the three dimensional puzzle 400 afterthe three dimensional puzzle 400 has been constructed. The logic game460 may be a variety of logic games, such as, for example, a Gem Puzzle,a Mystic Square puzzle, or other logic puzzle that are known to oneskilled in the art. The logic game puzzle 460 may include a plurality oftiles that slide next to one another. The tiles may initially be in arandom pattern. Each tile may be slid around in order to organize thecharacters of the tiles into a predetermined pattern. The tiles may bethree dimensional and/or may include three dimensional or lenticularimages.

FIGS. 20A and 20B show an embodiment of a three dimensional puzzle 500that preferably includes a plurality of puzzle pieces that areinterconnected to form the three dimensional puzzle 500, and a subpuzzle Paganitzu game 560. The three dimensional puzzle 500 may includemoving object 520, which may be a vehicle. The Paganitzu game 560 may besituated as part of at least one puzzle piece of the three dimensionalpuzzle 500. The Paganitzu game 560 may include moving objects 522 and521, which may be moved about the Paganitzu game 560 to play thePaganitzu game. The Paganitzu game 560 allows a player to furtherinteract and play with the three dimensional puzzle 500 after the threedimensional puzzle 500 has been constructed. The Paganitzu game 560 mayallow players to develop navigation, cognitive and motor skills. ThePaganitzu game 560 may be part of a three dimensional piece or may beconstructed as a hidden compartment that may be revealed when a playeropens a portion of the three dimensional puzzle piece.

FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of a three dimensional puzzle 600 thatpreferably includes a plurality of puzzle pieces that are interconnectedto form the three dimensional puzzle 600, and further includes sub mazegames 660, 661, 662 and 663. The three dimensional puzzle 600 may beconstructed such that a player may only traverse a maze once a movingobject has been placed along the path of that maze. The mazes 660-63allow a player to further interact and play with the three dimensionalpuzzle 600 after the three dimensional puzzle 600 has been constructed.The sub maze games 660, 661, 662 and 663 may be constructed within thepuzzle pieces of the three dimensional puzzle 600. The sub maze games660, 661, 662 and 663 may include a start and end identifier, allowing aplayer to know where to begin and end navigation of the maze. The submaze games 660, 661, 662 and 663 may allow players to developnavigation, cognitive, and motor skills. The sub maze games 660, 661,662 and 663 may allow players to construct the sub maze games 660, 661,662 and 663 with three dimensional puzzle pieces, and to navigate theconstructed maze with or without three dimensional glasses.

FIG. 22 shows a three dimensional puzzle 700 that preferably includes aplurality of puzzle pieces that are interconnected to form the threedimensional puzzle 700, and further includes a sub maze game 770. Themaze game 770 may be situated as part of at least one puzzle piece ofthe three dimensional puzzle 700. The maze game 770 allows a player tofurther interact and play with the three dimensional puzzle 700 afterthe three dimensional puzzle 700 has been constructed. The sub maze game770 may be constructed within the puzzle pieces of the three dimensionalpuzzle 700. The sub maze game 770 may include a start and endidentifier, allowing a player to know where to begin and end navigationof the sub maze game 770. The sub maze game 770 may allow players todevelop navigation, cognitive, and motor skills. The sub maze game 770may allow players the ability to construct the sub maze game 770 withthree dimensional puzzle pieces, and to navigate the constructed mazewith or without three dimensional glasses.

FIG. 23 shows an embodiment of a three dimensional puzzle 800 thatpreferably includes a plurality of puzzle pieces that are interconnectedto form the three dimensional puzzle 800, and a sub maze game 860 shapedlike a labyrinth. The maze game 860 may be situated as part of at leastone puzzle piece of the three dimensional puzzle 800. The maze game 860allows a player to further interact and play with the three dimensionalpuzzle 800 after the three dimensional puzzle 800 has been constructed.The sub maze game 860 may be constructed within the puzzle pieces of thethree dimensional puzzle 860. The sub maze game 860 may include a startand end identifier, allowing a player to know where to begin and endnavigation of the sub maze game 860. The sub maze game 860 may allowplayers to develop navigation, cognitive, and motor skills. The sub mazegame 860 may allow players the ability to construct the sub maze game860 with three dimensional puzzle pieces, and to navigate theconstructed maze with or without three dimensional glasses.

FIG. 24 shows an embodiment of a three dimensional puzzle thatpreferably includes a plurality of puzzle pieces that are interconnectedto form the three dimensional puzzle 900, and a sub puzzle transportgame 960. The transport game 960 may be situated as part of at least onepuzzle piece of the three dimensional puzzle 900. The transport game 960allows a player to further interact and play with the three dimensionalpuzzle 900 after the three dimensional puzzle 900 has been constructed.The transport game 960 may allow the movement of moving pieces and/orobjects throughout certain routes or paths of the transport game 960.The transport game 960 may allow players to develop navigation,cognitive, and motor skills.

FIG. 25 shows an embodiment of a puzzle piece 2501 of a puzzle kitaccording to the present invention, a smartphone 2503, television 2504,and a laptop computer 2505 displaying an image generated using augmentedreality technology. The puzzle piece represents a section of ageographic region of a three-dimensional puzzle. The puzzle piece 2501has an encoded image, such as a barcode. The smartphone 2503, television504, and the laptop computer 2505 are electrically connected to ascanning device, such as a camera. The barcode when scanned by thescanning device, accesses information regarding the geographic regionvia the internet and/or a database stored on a computer, server, etc.The information is displayed using augumented reality on a displaydevice such as smartphone 2503, television 2504, computer 2505 or tabletcomputer.

The information displayed on the display device is augmented bycomputer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPSdata. The information may include information about the geographiclocation as well as additional puzzle games, video games, or educationalinformation about subjects such as astronomy, geology, history,government, civics, anthropology, mathematics, science, biology,zoology, marine biology and physics.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scopeof the claims and their equivalents.

Any number of the features of the different embodiments described hereinmay be combined into one single embodiment, the locations of particularelements can be altered and alternate embodiments having fewer than ormore than all of the features herein described are possible.Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributed amongmultiple components, in manners now known or to become known.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. While there had been shown and described fundamentalfeatures of the invention as applied to being exemplary embodimentsthereof, it will be understood that omissions and substitutions andchanges in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Moreover, the scope of the present invention coversconventionally known, future developed variations and modifications tothe components described herein as would be understood by those skilledin the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A puzzle kit for assembly into a threedimensional puzzle representing a geographic region, comprising: aplurality puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece representing a threedimensional section of the geographic region; and at least one movableelement that is capable of moving along at least one of the pluralitypuzzle pieces, wherein, the at least one of the plurality puzzle pieceshas a specialized region that is adapted for the movement of the atleast one movable element.
 2. The puzzle kit of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the plurality of puzzle pieces has lenticular images. 3.The puzzle kit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality ofpuzzle pieces has three dimensional images.
 4. The puzzle kit of claim1, further comprising a fit-in board with a plurality of slots, whereineach puzzle piece has a unique shape and each puzzle piece can be fittedinto at least one slot in the fit-in board.
 5. The puzzle kit of claim1, wherein each puzzle piece has at least a unique male tab or a uniquefemale element slot, wherein each female slot is inter-lockable with acorresponding male tab.
 6. The puzzle kit of claim 1, wherein eachpuzzle piece is a unique section of a maze that is connectable toanother puzzle piece to form the geographic region.
 7. The puzzle kit ofclaim 1, wherein each puzzle piece is a unique section of a labyrinththat is connectable to another puzzle piece to form the geographicregion.
 8. The puzzle kit of claim 1, wherein each puzzle piece is aunique section of a tangram that is connectable to another puzzle pieceto form the geographic region.
 9. The puzzle kit of claim 1, furthercomprises a transport puzzle situated on at least one of the pluralitypuzzle pieces, wherein the transport puzzle includes a plurality oftracks adapted for allowing the movement of the at least one movableelement.
 10. The puzzle kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one movableelement is movable by at least battery operation or winding up.
 11. Thepuzzle kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one movable element isremote-controlled.
 12. The puzzle kit of claim 1, wherein the at leastone movable element has a region capable of magnetic attraction andwherein at least one of the puzzle pieces has a magnetic track forplacing the at least one movable element thereon.
 13. The puzzle kit ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one movable element is at least one of avehicle, vessel, human, animal, insect, airplane, helicopter, flyingballoon, or imaginary creature.
 14. The puzzle kit of claim 1, whereinthe at least one movable element is capable of being partially opened.15. The puzzle kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the puzzlepieces is capable of being partially opened.
 16. The puzzle kit of claim1, further comprising a sensor capable of sensing contact to a portionof a puzzle piece and capable of activating at least one of a light,sound, or vibration upon sensing the contact.
 17. The puzzle kit ofclaim 1, further comprising a sub puzzle game located within at leastone of the plurality of puzzle pieces.
 18. The puzzle kit of claim 1,wherein at least one of the puzzle pieces has an encoded image, theencoded image providing information regarding the geographic region viaa display device when scanned by a scanning device electricallyconnected to the display device.